Once upon a time
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Geneviève
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Shop Simulator V3.0

A family business story.

Language

🏆 Trophy Collection

0/20

43 months. One shop. Countless decisions.
Will you build a neighborhood institution? Or burn out trying?
Every choice matters. Every month counts.

🏪 Shop Empire — DLC

Manage multiple shops. Expand. Dominate the neighborhood. (We're not actually making a DLC. But if we did, it would be this.)

Coming soon™

📖 The Real Story Behind the Game

Julien is a real person. In July 2022, he bought a struggling bulk food store in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Brussels, from Geneviève—the previous owner who was ready to retire. He started with almost nothing: no savings, just a dream of transforming this dying épicerie into something special.

The shop came with €38,000 of "stock" on paper—quinoa from 2019, organic lentils that nobody wanted, cacao powder gathering dust. The épicerie sèche (dry goods) market was dying, down 23% industry-wide. But Julien saw what others didn't: the neighborhood needed a fromagerie.

September 2023 brought Poncho—an Australian Shepherd with endless energy who became the shop's mascot. Customers came just to see him. Kids would visit daily. He forced Julien to take walks, which turned out to be the best stress relief.

In November 2023, Madame Malfait (the landlord) called with news: she was selling the building. €380,000 total, €80,000 down payment needed by July 2024. Eight months to save what seemed impossible. The countdown began.

July 2024: Against all odds, Julien bought the building. His hand trembled signing the papers. No more landlord. No more vulnerability. The shop was truly his.

September 2024: Lucas joined the team—young, chaotic, passionate about food. He came from the shop next door and brought energy (sometimes too much). Then in early 2025, Lucas's friend Henry arrived—calm, reliable, the perfect balance. Finally, Julien could delegate.

The burnout was real. The Sunday question was real. The Swiss raclette trip, the December rushes, the AFSCA inspections—all real. This game is Julien's actual journey, compressed into 43 months.

Every event in this game is based on something that actually happened.

🧀 Cheese Glossary

Tomme Larzac
Creamy sheep's milk cheese from southern France. Julien's first cheese.
Comté
Nutty aged cheese from Jura mountains. Comes in 8, 12, 18, 24+ months.
Raclette
Melting cheese from Alps. Scraped onto potatoes. Winter essential.
Parmigiano Reggiano
"King of Cheeses." Italian hard cheese aged 24-72 months.
Manchego DOP
Spanish sheep's milk cheese. Firm, nutty, slightly tangy.
Brie de Meaux
Classic French soft cheese. Creamy center, bloomy rind.
St Marcellin
Small, creamy French cheese. Gets runnier as it ages.
Beaufort d'été
Summer Beaufort. Alpine cheese made when cows graze high pastures.
Chèvre Frais
Fresh goat cheese. Tangy, spreadable, doesn't keep long.
Mozzarella di Bufala
Buffalo milk mozzarella from Italy. Creamy, delicate, best fresh.
Washed-rind
Cheeses washed in brine/alcohol. Pungent smell, rich flavor.
Affineur
Cheese ager. Experts who mature cheese to perfection.

🇧🇪 Belgian Terms Explained

AFSCA
Belgian food safety agency. They do surprise inspections. Terrifying but necessary.
Interbio
Organic food distributor. Thursday deliveries. Julien's main produce supplier.
Lalero
Premium cheese wholesaler. Source of Tomme Larzac and many others.
Coprosain
Belgian cooperative for quality meats and charcuterie.
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
Brussels commune. Residential, family-oriented, where Chez Julien is located.
Place Dumont
Famous weekly market in Ixelles. Wednesday afternoons.
Rue au Bois
Upscale shopping street in Ixelles. Has a wine shop Julien refers to.
Épicerie sèche
"Dry grocery" - bulk foods, grains, pasta. The original shop concept.
Commune
Brussels has 19 communes (municipalities). Each is semi-autonomous.
Vin chaud
Mulled wine. Essential at Christmas markets.
Plateaux
Cheese/charcuterie platters. Big business for events and corporate clients.
Fermé
"Closed" - the sign you put up when taking a much-needed break.
I have a blog too!

🧀 Chez Julien

July 2022
Month 1/43
💰 €12,000
Bank Account
Monthly profit pending...
😰 30%
Stress Level
Manageable
100%
Energy
Full power!
❤️ 70%
Family & Friends
Good relationships
50
Reputation
Affects sales: ×1.08
Decision

Loading...

Monthly Sales
€0
Net Profit
€0
Autonomy
20%
+0% sales, -0 stress
Cheese Types
0
Total Revenue
€0
Property
Renting
J
Julien (You)
Owner, doing everything
Event Log
Events will appear here as you play...
💰 Monthly Statement Month 1
Revenue €0
Cheese Sales €0
Expenses €0
Cost of Goods €0
Rent €0
Owner Salary €0
Net Profit €0

Adjust your choices. Changes apply next month.

● Bank Balance
Memory
A moment captured...
Click anywhere to continue
🥚✨
You found the secret egg!

Thank you for playing my game. It's been a childhood dream of mine to make my own video game, and you being here means the world to me.

- Julien

📸 Photo Album

📸 New Photo Unlocked!

Check your album

Your Story

🏆 Achievements

Credits

❤️ Big thanks to mom — for everything.

I have a blog too!

Thanks for playing! This game is in beta. If you spot a bug, tap here to report it.

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